Well done: Tan Kian Meng (back) and Lai Pei Jing beat Indonesia’s Rinov Rivaldy-Pitha Haningtyas 21-17, 21-19 in the second round.
PETALING JAYA: Mixed doubles shuttlers Tan Kian Meng-Lai Pei Jing’s chase for the Olympic Games spot has become harder but that has not stopped the professionals from appreciating every moment on court.
On Thursday, the world No. 25 Kian Meng-Pei Jing enjoyed themselves by toppling Indonesia’s world No. 18 Rinov Rivaldy-Pitha Haningtyas 21-17, 21-19 to reach the quarter-finals of the German Open in Mulheim.
They held their nerves in a close second game to claim their fifth win over the Indonesians in eight meetings.
Kian Meng-Pei Jing have now reached the last eight for the second time this year after the Indonesian Masters in January but they want to try and go one step better when they take on Hong Kong’s world No. 8 Tang Chun Man-Tse Ying Suet next.
Kian Meng-Pei Jing want to make it into their first semi-final since reaching the same stage in the China Open last September.
“It was a tough match for us yesterday (Thursday), but Pei Jing and I were more consistent than the Indonesians,” said Kian Meng.
“We have not played against the Hong Kong pair since 2019. In fact, our standards are about the same and we are players from the same era. We hope to do well against them.
“We are enjoying every single match now.
Said coach Teo Kok Siang: “ I’m glad they were able to control the game and were patient. I’m glad they were quick to change the rhythm in the second game.
“They continue to believe in one another... that’s the key.”
Meanwhile, there was also joy for Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai Jemie, who came from behind to oust Singapore’s husband and wife pairing, Terry Hee-Jessica Tan 8-21, 21-15, 21-8.
World No. 14 Soon Huat-Shevon will next face Indonesia’s 2023 Cambodia SEA Games gold medallists Rehan Naufal-Lisa Ayu.
In the men’s doubles, top seeds Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi overcame a second game blip to beat Denmark’s Daniel Lundgaard-Mads Vestergaard 21-14, 19-21, 21-10.
The world No. 12, who are fighting to keep their own Olympic hopes alive, will take on Taiwan’s world No. 27 Lu Ching-yao-Yang Po-han for a place in the semi-finals.
It was the end of the road though for women’s doubles pair Vivian Hoo-Lim Chiew Sien after they lost out 16-21, 14-21 to Bulgarian sisters Gabriela Stoeva-Stefani Stoeva. (Malaysians only)Second round
Men’s doubles: Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi bt Daniel Lundgaard-Mads Vestergaard (Den) 21-14, 19-21, 21-10.
Women’s doubles: Gabriela Stoeva-Stefani Stoeva (Bul) bt Vivian Hoo-Lim Chiew Sien 21-16, 21-14.
Mixed doubles: Tan Kian Meng-Lai Pei Jing bt Rinov Rivaldy-Pitha Haningtyas (Ina) 21-17, 21-19; Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai Jemie bt Terry Hee-Jessica Tan (Sin) 8-21, 21-15, 21-8.
RESULTS
(Malaysians only)
Second round
Men’s doubles: Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi bt Daniel Lundgaard-Mads Vestergaard (Den) 21-14, 19-21, 21-10.
Women’s doubles: Gabriela Stoeva-Stefani Stoeva (Bul) bt Vivian Hoo-Lim Chiew Sien 21-16, 21-14.
Mixed doubles: Tan Kian Meng-Lai Pei Jing bt Rinov Rivaldy-Pitha Haningtyas (Ina) 21-17, 21-19; Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai Jemie bt Terry Hee-Jessica Tan (Sin) 8-21, 21-15, 21-8.
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